There's a Maple Leaf on my Stars-and-Stripes!

[DeadPoolX 9]

Sounds like it might be a little late, but - WELCOME TO CANADA - BIENVENUE A CANADA!

Thanks!

Congrats DeadPoolX!

I'm planning on doing this in about a year. I'm curious, did you use roadtocanada.com or anything else? Where did you get most of your info?

It's good to hear it went smoothly and quickly for you.

No, we didn't use www.roadtocanada.com or any website like VJ, actually. We just read the CIC website carefully, filled out the necessary paperwork thoroughly and made sure to get all the medical/security checks done ahead of time. We also supplied a lot of evidence in the form of pictures, phone records, etc. I think what may have really helped our case is that neither of us have any dependents.

Wow, the immigration lady sounds just like a lovey welcome to the country eh? sheesh! Is it a requirement of the job to be a beeyotch?

Welcome to Canada! Just think, in 3 months time you can have "free" healthcare too

Well, I won't turn it down, that's for sure. I'll probably need some private health insurance, however. I require prescription medication and from what I've heard, provincial healthcare won't usually cover that. Fortunately, I've brought with me an ample supply and it seems Canadian doctors can -- and usually do -- approve prescriptions written by American physicians. So all I need to do is have it transferred and looked over here.

Ok so it's that easy to immigrate to Canada? I may have to convince my hubby if this whole U.S. visa ordeal doesn't work out for me he can high-tail it over to Canada. 6 months is excellent time!!! Were you able to work immediately after it was approved?

It sounds easier than it really was, but when compared to the process required by the U.S., it was a breeze. Once again, this may be due to a smaller overall population and less immigration problems (i.e. fewer illegals entering the country). Whatever the case, the Canadian process is certainly quicker. Six months is a much better turn-around than what anyone might receive coming to the United States, I'm sorry to say.

I've been told that in order to legally work within Canada, I'll need my SIN, but I don't know how reliable that information is right now. Seeing as how I'm just a PR and not a citizen (and therefore may be deported), I'd rather gain my SIN first and then seek employment, just to be on the safe side.

Congratulations!

Yes, having had experience in both the US and Canada immigration processes (undergoing the US one personally and assisting others through the Canadian one when I worked for the MP) I would agree that the Canadian system is better organized and faster. They accomplish the same thing re: medical and security checks as the US does (in fact, they require you do get the security checks done first on your own and submit the results with the application) and they truly do support family re-unification. While a spouse 'sponsors' a foreign spouse, they don't have to meet a minimum income requirement as other family sponsorships do. Once you 'land' your status is permanent - no conditions attached to it and you can count any legal time spent in Canada prior to receiving PR status on a ratio of 2:1 for up to one year of the 3 year citizenship eligibility.

Because of security risks, however, Canada did away with fiance(e) visas a number of years ago so you actually have to be married before you can start the process. Six months to a year seems to be the normal processing times involved, depending on where the foreign spouse resides.

Again, congratulations. You should get your S.I.N. soon, however. It is a simple process and you don't really need to notify them when you change address as it is only used for federal benefits and you either apply for those directly or your employer provides the necessary information. If neither of those circumstances apply, then you can file to change your address. It is not nearly as widely used as the SSN is and is supposed to be only for federal benefit use. Don't forget to apply for your Provincial Health Insurance card as well - there may be a waiting period until you can apply (3 months in Ontario, don't know about elsewhere). Remember to carry your PR card with you whenever you leave Canada as you will be required to show it for re-admission.

Moosker, actually, a foreign spouse can work even before official landing once he/she gets 'approval in principal' which comes as a letter. It means that the paperwork isn't all finished but the application is approved, barring unforeseen circumstances. Once the processing is finished, the applicant has to 'officially' enter the US at the border and he becomes a permanent resident with all benefits. The PR card follows shortly. afterwards in the mail.

Those are some great points. The U.S. immigration process demands that sponsors meet certain income requirements, while the Canadian process does not. My wife and I found that odd at first (wouldn't the Canadian government want to be reassured that an immigrant wouldn't leech off government funding?), but we weren't about to complain or protest. Something else that's interesting is that even if I am outside the country, I still gain time counted towards being "inside of Canada" so long as I am with my wife. The U.S. doesn't do this and whether or not you're with your spouse when outside American borders, you're still considered "outside the United States."

By the way... Kathryn, was that last paragraph in reference to Canadian or U.S. immigration? I'm wondering because you said you have experience with both and typed "officially enter the U.S. border" which wouldn't make a whole lot of sense if moving to Canada. I'd like to know because if I can work without an SIN, that would be useful information.

really ?..it only took under 6 months?.well,im really not decided to move to U.S. but from what i know there's no fiance visa in Canada..we're not married yet....you think if my fiance moves here in Canada and we get married here..can he stay with me while i'm sponsoring him?..and maybe we could just extend his visa if the processing will be over 6 months?I'm waiting for my Packet 3 and I'm scared to move in the U.S..first of all,you have to pay for your medical there and houses are much expensive than here,i know it depend on the place but from where my fiance lives its nothing below 500k

Yes and no.

Like Kathryn said, there is no "fiance visa" in Canada. However, you can sponsor your spouse or partner from either outside or inside Canadian borders. Why do it outside and be apart? Because it's much, much faster. The Canadian government seems to process visas extremely slowly if they know your spouse/partner is living in the country with you, as opposed to waiting outside of it. I suppose the idea behind this is that you're already together, so you can afford to wait, whereas those who're apart need to be brought together as soon as possible.

For the record, my wife and I did our spousal visa with us separated -- she remained in Canada while I was in the United States.

[thermophile 0]

deadpool - when I applied for my SIN they gave it to me that day, just printed on a piece of paper not the real card but I was able to apply for jobs directly after leaving the SIN office. Also, it's different from the US SSN. You have to have the SIN to work but employers aren't allowed to ask for the number

And as to Katheryn's point about being able to work once you get AIP. That's true, however processing of out of Canada spouse applications is so quick that they usually don't give you an AIP.

I moved to Canada before my application was approved so had to drive back to the border to land-literally drive around the flag pole. The guy that processed my landing papers wasn't rude but also wasn't friendly. But he dealt with my papers correctly which is really all I was worried about

[Sprailenes 47]

Though I heard and please correct me if I am wrong, that it takes up to a year to be able to obtain a visa to work in Canada. Is this true?

[Reba 2]

If you're applying specifically for just for a work visa, yeah, it can take up to a year or more to process. AND, if you're a spouse of a Canadian citizen that entered the country, got married and then applied for PR in-land, the aforementioned AIP can take longer than that even. Or not be rec'd at all. Currently there's a woman on Road To Canada whose been there 4 years and unable to work because her application was denied, but they're in appeal limbo (another difference between Canada and US adjustment to PR, in Canada you can appeal the decision).

Outland applications are best really for spouses, as evidenced by DeadPool's experience of only 6 months. Inland applications can take twice as long, sometimes longer if there are complications.

And CIC also has a habit of losing things, not everyone's applications go as smoothly.

[Sprailenes 47]

Yea that wouldn't work for us. Plus my husband is doing well at his company. I don't think he'd be willing to give that up just to be unemployed in another country.

I just need to accept that, and I almost have.

[rae_and_scott 1]

No, we didn't use www.roadtocanada.com or any website like VJ, actually. We just read the CIC website carefully, filled out the necessary paperwork thoroughly and made sure to get all the medical/security checks done ahead of time. We also supplied a lot of evidence in the form of pictures, phone records, etc. I think what may have really helped our case is that neither of us have any dependents.

Thanks for the info!

I've been told that in order to legally work within Canada, I'll need my SIN, but I don't know how reliable that information is right now. Seeing as how I'm just a PR and not a citizen (and therefore may be deported), I'd rather gain my SIN first and then seek employment, just to be on the safe side.

I used to live in Toronto, and I had a job and a TN visa. It was only after I was there and already working that somebody told me I needed a SIN number. It was pretty easy and quick to get from what I remember. I'm not suggesting that you should try to get work first, and I know the situations are different as I was TN and you are a PR through marriage. Just relaying my experience.

Though I heard and please correct me if I am wrong, that it takes up to a year to be able to obtain a visa to work in Canada. Is this true?

Someone correct me if I have this wrong... if you are married and your spouse gets PR status in Canada, once he/she enters, he/she does not need a work visa. You are allowed to work by nature of being a PR -- possibly barring the getting of the SIN number.

But if we are just talking about work visas here, not PR status... it depends on what kind of work visa you are after. If you want to get the sponsorship type (I don't know what they're called in Canada and if they have a letter class like the US's H-1B) then yes that can take awhile. If you fit under the NAFTA list of occupations, you can get a TN visa really quickly. Once you have the job secured and the proper paperwork, you can actually apply right at the border and get it right then and there. I did mine at the Embassy in NYC and it took 1 week. Pretty fast!

But now let me lay out my own question a little better:

My SO and I went through the K1 process and got married this summer, so were here in the States and together. We plan to move to Canada in about a year. So we can apply outland for me for PR. Once I have that, we can move to Canada and I can work without any other paperwork, right? (I already have a SIN from when I lived there before.)

Also, are you all saying that my time spent with my husband now, here in the US, counts towards my future Canadian citizenship? I won't have to wait 3 years in Canada for it? I also lived there before for a year and a half -- how does that factor into it?

Sorry to hijack your thread DeadPool, I just figured this would be a good place to ask my questions.

[thermophile 0]

But now let me lay out my own question a little better:

My SO and I went through the K1 process and got married this summer, so were here in the States and together. We plan to move to Canada in about a year. So we can apply outland for me for PR. Once I have that, we can move to Canada and I can work without any other paperwork, right? (I already have a SIN from when I lived there before.)

yup

Also, are you all saying that my time spent with my husband now, here in the US, counts towards my future Canadian citizenship? I won't have to wait 3 years in Canada for it? I also lived there before for a year and a half -- how does that factor into it?

Sorry to hijack your thread DeadPool, I just figured this would be a good place to ask my questions.

no time outside of Canada doesn't count towards citizenship. But if you get your Canadian PR then move to another country, time with your Canadian citizen spouse counts as time in Canada as far as maintaining your PR status.

[rae_and_scott 1]

no time outside of Canada doesn't count towards citizenship. But if you get your Canadian PR then move to another country, time with your Canadian citizen spouse counts as time in Canada as far as maintaining your PR status.

Okay, I get it. Thank you!

[DeadPoolX 9]

This is sad cause I thought it was MUCH harder than this!!

Congratulations DeadPool, that's awesome.

I didn't think that Nick would be able to work right away after getting here.............what if we have made a huge mistake.....

Laura, I think the main reason that immigrating to Canada is less complicated and time intensive than immigrating to the U.S. is mostly due to a smaller overall population and a general lack of illegal aliens. As I've stated in previous posts, Canada's total population is somewhere around 33 million (the state of California has more people) while the United States holds over 300 million. In addition, we have a widespread illegal alien issue, which massively complicates immigration matters.

As far as I can see, Canada actually wants higher immigration (at least the legal variety, anyway), whereas the U.S., with its current population totals and the non-stop deluge of illegals, has little-to-no desire to encourage any sort of immigration policy. All of this, I believe, accounts for the majority of problems people have when attempting to legally immigrate to the United States.

As a side-note, this sort of thinking might partly explain why Canada (and other countries with smaller populations and a low birthrate) have generous maternity leave options. The governments in these countries are seeking to encourage new births, as opposed to the U.S. which figures there are already far too many people living in the country. If anything, the U.S. would actually look for an incentive to decrease the birthrate.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

This is sad cause I thought it was MUCH harder than this!!

Congratulations DeadPool, that's awesome.

I didn't think that Nick would be able to work right away after getting here.............what if we have made a huge mistake.....

Laura, I think the main reason that immigrating to Canada is less complicated and time intensive than immigrating to the U.S. is mostly due to a smaller overall population and a general lack of illegal aliens. As I've stated in previous posts, Canada's total population is somewhere around 33 million (the state of California has more people) while the United States holds over 300 million. In addition, we have a widespread illegal alien issue, which massively complicates immigration matters.

As far as I can see, Canada actually wants higher immigration (at least the legal variety, anyway), whereas the U.S., with its current population totals and the non-stop deluge of illegals, has little-to-no desire to encourage any sort of immigration policy. All of this, I believe, accounts for the majority of problems people have when attempting to legally immigrate to the United States.

As a side-note, this sort of thinking might partly explain why Canada (and other countries with smaller populations and a low birthrate) have generous maternity leave options. The governments in these countries are seeking to encourage new births, as opposed to the U.S. which figures there are already far too many people living in the country. If anything, the U.S. would actually look for an incentive to decrease the birthrate.

DeadpoolX is correct - Canada currently has a negative birth rate and requires immigrants in order to maintain the social security systems put in place - it wants working immigrants because Canadians are not reproducing fast enough to keep the contributions to the programmes steady.

A PR can work from the get-go. If you are in Canada for another purpose - ie, visitor, work visa or study visa - and decide to change to a PR status (through one of the elligibility means), then the time you are legally present in Canada prior to becoming a PR counts on a ratio of two to one towards citizenship up to a maximum of 1 year. For example, you are legally present in Canada on a work visa and decide to become a PR, up to two of the years you were legally present on a work visa immediately prior to becoming a PR can be used to count as 1 year of eligibility time towards citizenship. Another example: if you are married to a Canadian and adjusting status from within Canada you are expected to keep a legal visitor status application until a decision is made. If it takes a year to make a decision, then that year counts as 6 months towards your Canadian citizenship time requirement once you become a PR. You need 3 years of residency to apply for Canadian citizenship and that is 3 full years - any time, even one day, you are absent from Canada is deducted so if you are absent for 6 months, you need 3 years and 6 months of physical residency in Canada in order to qualify for citizenship. That is also different than for the US. Time outside of Canada, even for holidays, doesn't count towards citizenship. There is also a maximum time away from Canada limit that if you go over in the preceding 5 years you are not eligible to apply for citizenship.

You can start work before you get your S.I.N. but you won't be paid as the employer needs to make mandatory deductions on your behalf (plus employer contributions for the same) as well as withhold taxes and the taxation and benefit rates are determined on the forms that you fill out for your employment and are linked to your S.I.N. So, you can earn money but you won't receive it until you can present your S.I.N. to your employer. There is a period of weeks during which you are allowed to work but if you don't present your S.I.N. within that period of time your employer will suspend you until you do produce it. The Government is very quick at getting S.I.N. applications processed - many people get their first S.I.N. card when they start working during the summer holidays and generally have a few weeks work and get their cards within 10 days to 2 weeks at the maximum. Usually they are faster than that.

rae and scott - all work permits in Canada require primary approval from Human Resources Development Canada (or whatever they are calling that department now) that there are no Canadians available to do that work. Only then will a work permit be authorized for an employer. There are a number of different programmes available and there are some short term temporary programmes and trial programmes operating at any one time as well. Clear cut work visas can be obtained fairly quickly once the 'labour certification' equivalent has been approved. Canada does not have 'caps' or limits on the number of work visas it accepts each year. Some programmes have application deadline dates but those are programme specific. Most are in effect year round.

If you move back to Canada as a PR (you will get that status once you cross the border after the application is approved) you can work. No, time spent currently with your husband now does not count as you are not a PR. If you accompany your husband outside of Canada for work after you are a PR that may still count as Canadian residency - this is for most cases but there are exceptioins. The 1 1/2 years you were present before don't count either as they do not immediately precede your application for PR status. It is only when you apply for PR status from within Canada and are already there legally that it counts.

You may want to re-think moving back to Canada in a year as once your husband takes up residency again in Canada he abandons his greencard status in the US and to return to the US you would have to start all over again from the beginning from outside of the US. If you wait until he has US citizenship before seeking Canadian PR status, then you both will be free to return to the US at your leisure.

Hope this helps.

Kathryn

Edited August 22, 2008 by Kathryn41

[rae_and_scott 1]

Thanks for the info Kathryn! It is very helpful. It's a shame I won't be able to count any of my prior time in Canada towards citizenship, but, c'est la vie I suppose. I'm not really on the fast track for citizenship; what matters most to me is being able to work and lead a "normal" life once we do go back there.

Actually, TN visas do not need HRDC approval. I seemed to remember that being the case so I try to dig up the info on that:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/special-business.asp#nafta

I know we will be abandoning my husband's Green Card; it is something I've thought about a lot, even before he had his K visa approved. I know it would make the most sense for him to stay long enough to become a US citizen, but the truth is he has no desire to become one and it's not something I'm going to push on him since he's staunchly against it. It must seem like a big waste, but it's just where we've come to and we are both okay with the decisions. I wanted him to move here and we both decided we would end up in Vancouver, so while it's taken a lot of paperwork and time and money and will take more, at least we'll be on the same page (and in the same place) in the end.

[KarenCee 3]

Wow...six months...just wow. *sigh* Now this is only making it harder for me to wait. Congratulations all the same DeadPool.

[Reba 2]

Yea that wouldn't work for us. Plus my husband is doing well at his company. I don't think he'd be willing to give that up just to be unemployed in another country.

I just need to accept that, and I almost have.

You can still do it, but you have to sponsor him and apply "outland". Once his PR has been approved, as soon as he "lands" he's legal to work. And most spousal PR applications are approved and completed in less than one year. Its mostly the independent immigration that takes more than that, or if you for some reason decided to pick up and go back to Canada and dragged him with you and applied "inland". THAT would take a year or more. But outland, as evidenced by DeadPool, takes a lot less time than even US immigration does.

Check out the forums at http://roadtocanada.com for timelines and and info and such.

James and I are starting the Canadian immigration stuff again, but his will take a year or more, only because he's got a (misfiled) criminal record that we can't seem to get fixed So the Rehabilitation paperwork is adding an extra year to our processing. Hopefully I'll be back home before I'm 43. My 41th birthday is next week, so fingers crossed!